One of the toughest habits for Joe and I to get into after we had kids, was to establish a consistent date date. While living overseas, it is tough to find babysitters and sometimes even harder to deal with inconsistent basketball schedules and odd work hours. We do have the benefit of a slower pace of life and less “things to do” overseas, so we are able to spend a lot of date nights in. When we get back to the U.S. for the summer, it is much easier to find babysitters, but our life seems to move at such a frantic pace at times, that we often go weeks without a date.
Last night we had our first date night in 3 months. It was not only wonderful to get out and talk without interruption and eat a meal straight through without having to clean up a mess, but more importantly to re-establish the intimacy and communication that can be so hard to come by in the normal pace of life. Even when we try to stay home and do things, it is hard not to be distracted by the things around us.
I would advise any married couple to make date nights a habit, whether it is once a week or once a month. It doesn’t have to be expensive; just the time out by yourselves will reap great benefits. And if you can try to get away for a few days every year or so. Those extended times can be precious and a time to store up refreshment for busier times of the year!
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